How Compass Clinic helps families and individuals uncover learning strengths and challenges through comprehensive psychoeducational assessment
In classrooms, workplaces, and even at home, people of all ages often experience difficulties with reading, writing, math, or organizing tasks. These struggles are often misunderstood or overlooked, leading to frustration, low confidence, and repeated setbacks.
At Compass Clinic, we specialize in comprehensive learning disability assessments in Vancouver, designed to identify the root causes of learning challenges. Our approach is grounded in compassion, clinical precision, and an understanding that every brain works differently.
While our core strength lies in assessment, we also offer limited therapy services—particularly for individuals who may benefit from short-term intervention or follow-up support. However, our primary goal is to provide accurate, in-depth evaluations that bring clarity and direction to families, educators, and individuals alike.
What is a Learning Disability?
A learning disability is a neurologically-based processing difference that interferes with the acquisition, organization, or use of academic skills such as reading, writing, or math. It’s not a reflection of intelligence or effort. In fact, many people with learning disabilities are incredibly bright and resourceful—but they need to learn in ways that traditional systems don’t always accommodate.
Some of the most commonly diagnosed learning disabilities include:
- Dyslexia: Affects reading fluency, decoding, and comprehension
- Dysgraphia: Involves difficulty with writing, spelling, and organizing ideas
- Dyscalculia: Affects numerical understanding, calculations, and problem-solving
- Nonverbal Learning Disabilities (NVLD): Involve challenges with spatial awareness, social interpretation, and abstract thinking
Learning disabilities often co-exist with attention challenges or anxiety, which can further complicate school and work performance. That’s why a thorough, multidimensional assessment is key to identifying what’s truly going on beneath the surface.
Why Consider a Learning Disability Assessment?
Many families come to us after months or years of wondering why their child, teen, or even themselves can’t seem to perform at the level expected—despite intelligence, effort, and tutoring. A learning disability assessment doesn’t just name the challenge; it gives you tools, documentation, and direction to make informed decisions and lasting changes.
Here’s what a high-quality assessment can provide:
1. Clear Answers to Persistent Struggles
Whether it’s reading fluency, spelling accuracy, math reasoning, or written expression, assessments identify specific breakdowns in processing. You no longer have to guess why school feels so difficult or why learning tasks take so much longer than expected.
2. Evidence-Based Recommendations
With clear diagnostic insight comes targeted recommendations. These can include assistive technology, academic accommodations, modified teaching strategies, and more. Our reports provide practical, individualized suggestions that families and educators can act on.
3. Access to School and Exam Accommodations
In British Columbia, schools and post-secondary institutions often require formal documentation before providing extra time on tests, access to audio versions of textbooks, or individualized education plans (IEPs). Our assessments are detailed and compliant with Ministry standards—making them suitable for advocacy in academic or professional settings.
4. Understanding Strengths Alongside Challenges
Our assessments aren’t just about identifying deficits—they also highlight cognitive strengths. Many individuals with learning disabilities excel in creative thinking, problem-solving, or verbal reasoning. Understanding this full profile is key to building confidence and designing a supportive learning path.
The Compass Clinic Approach
We take pride in offering a personalized, thoughtful assessment process. From the first consultation to the final feedback session, our team is committed to making you or your child feel heard, supported, and respected.
Step 1: Initial Intake and Goal-Setting
Every journey begins with a comprehensive intake session. This is where we collect background history, school records, developmental milestones, and current concerns. For children, we often connect with teachers or school counselors. For adults, we focus on previous academic history, coping strategies, and current challenges.
This collaborative conversation helps us determine the best-fit assessment tools for your unique concerns.
Step 2: In-Depth Psychoeducational Testing
Testing typically takes place over several sessions. It involves a mix of standardized tools to explore:
- Cognitive abilities (IQ): including reasoning, memory, and processing speed
- Academic skills: such as reading, writing, math fluency, and comprehension
- Language processing: phonemic awareness, verbal expression, listening comprehension
- Executive functioning: attention, impulse control, organization, and task initiation
- Visual-motor integration and working memory
This step is designed not just to test “how much” someone knows—but how they learn best. Testing is always age-appropriate, individualized, and conducted by registered psychologists.
Step 3: Analysis and Diagnosis (If Applicable)
Our team reviews all data holistically to determine whether diagnostic criteria for a Specific Learning Disorder are met. If so, the diagnosis will be formally included in the report. However, even without a formal diagnosis, we offer detailed explanations of learning style and processing strengths/weaknesses that can still guide school planning and life decisions.
Step 4: Feedback and Detailed Report
We provide every client with a comprehensive written report, which includes:
- Assessment scores and detailed interpretations
- Diagnostic conclusions (if applicable)
- Educational and functional implications
- Personalized recommendations for home, school, and work
- Next steps and referrals (e.g., for therapy, tutoring, or accommodations)
During your feedback session, we walk you through the findings in clear, jargon-free language and answer all your questions. We want you to walk away informed, empowered, and supported.
Do You Also Provide Therapy?
While our primary area of expertise is assessment, Compass Clinic does offer some therapy services, especially for clients who require short-term psychological support after a diagnosis. This may include psychoeducation, coping strategies for anxiety, or emotional support for children processing their learning challenges.
We also maintain a strong network of external therapists and tutors in Vancouver, so when additional long-term care is needed, we can guide you to the right resources.
How Long Does the Assessment Process Take?
One of the most important things to plan for is timing.
Due to the depth and detail of our assessments, as well as high demand, the full process—from intake to delivery of the final report—typically takes 2 to 3 months. We understand that this may feel like a long wait, especially when academic demands are high, but this timeline ensures our psychologists have adequate time to review, analyze, and deliver quality results that meet the highest professional standards.
Who Can Benefit from an Assessment?
A learning disability assessment can be life-changing for:
- Elementary-aged children showing early signs of reading, writing, or math difficulties
- Teens and high school students preparing for transitions to post-secondary education
- College or university students struggling to keep up despite their best efforts
- Adults who have always wondered why certain academic or professional tasks feel more difficult
- Parents looking for answers, advocacy tools, and peace of mind
If you’ve ever said to yourself, “I know they’re capable, but something just isn’t clicking,” then an assessment may be the missing piece.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is a learning disability assessment covered by MSP?
No, assessments are not covered under British Columbia’s Medical Services Plan (MSP). However, many extended health plans or workplace benefits offer partial or full reimbursement for psychological assessments. We encourage you to check your specific coverage.
Q: Is therapy available at Compass Clinic?
Yes, we do offer limited therapy services. While assessment remains our main focus, we can provide short-term therapeutic support and psychoeducation for individuals following a diagnosis, or refer you to trusted local professionals for more extensive care.
Q: Can an assessment be used to apply for accommodations?
Yes, absolutely. Our assessments are suitable for securing:
- IEPs or learning support plans in school
- Exam accommodations for SAT, GRE, LSAT, etc.
- Academic support at universities or colleges
- Workplace accommodations under accessibility legislation
Q: What’s the best age to assess for a learning disability?
We typically begin formal assessments around age 6, when foundational academic skills have developed. However, individuals of any age can benefit from understanding their learning profile. Teens and adults often find assessments equally empowering.
Take the First Step Toward Clarity
Whether you’re a parent seeking to support your child, a student navigating post-secondary demands, or an adult curious about your learning history—you deserve to understand how your mind works.
At Compass Clinic, we’re here to help you make sense of the struggle. Our learning disability assessments in Vancouver are comprehensive, compassionate, and designed to provide answers—not just labels.
Contact Us to book consulation.